SheKnows editors: My secret beauty weapon is...

Beauty secrets, tips and tricks

Finding the right beauty products can be frustrating and expensive. Here to ease the pain and stress are the editors at SheKnows with their amazing beauty secrets.

SheKnows Editors

Beauty secrets, tips and tricks

Finding the right beauty products can be frustrating and expensive. Here to ease the pain and stress are the editors at SheKnows with their amazing beauty secrets.

We make a serious effort to keep you up to date on all of the latest beauty products, trends and secrets that will enhance your overall appearance. But we've decided to change things up a bit and ask a few SK editors for their beauty tips and secrets — and boy do these ladies have good ones. Here's what they had to say.

Michelle Harrison, Sales Integration Editor

SheKnows: What is one of your beauty secrets?

Michelle Harrison: If I want my hair to be extra soft and shiny, I'll rinse with freezing cold water right before I get out of the shower. It adds a little sheen to my locks.

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

MH: Not too much except that I've been playing with contouring and buying more expensive products since getting older. You won't find any drugstore makeup products in my bag anymore.

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

MH: Mascara and blush. As a fair-skinned blonde, adding color to my facial features is pretty key in making sure I don't look like a boy.

Lauren Swanson, Managing Editor

SheKnows: What is one of your beauty secrets?

Lauren Swanson: Brown lip liner is usually a no-no, but I actually have a taupe brow pencil that doubles as a great lip plumper. The nude color adds a perfect amount of definition without looking too "Brooklyn." It's a two-in-one trick that has worked for me since I was 15.

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

LS: I find myself being much more minimalist the more I age. It's all about keeping everything moisturized and the color palette natural. I used to rock the dark kohl smoky eyes in my early 20s. Not so much anymore — I'd look like a geriatric clown. So I stick with shimmery brown colors on my eyes, pink on my cheeks and peachy pink tones on my lips. And my hair? Oh gosh! Let's just say sock buns are becoming a mainstay.

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

Karen Miner, Food Editor

SheKnows: What is one of your beauty secrets?

Karen Miner: I'm pretty basic when it comes to my beauty routine, but I think the one out-of-the-ordinary thing I use is purple shampoo to keep my highlights bright. It cuts the brassiness and really amps up the color when it starts getting dull.

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

KM: I think my routine has actually gotten simpler. The biggest change for me is that I usually let my hair air dry most of the time, which has actually helped my hair stay healthier. I also use fewer hair products, which keeps it cleaner and less greasy, which at the end of the day means I can wash it less. Time saver!

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

KM: My hands are always super dry, so a really great hand moisturizer… right now Bath & Body Works Shea Cashmere Hand Cream. And definitely, my number one, couldn't live without beauty product is Burt's Bees lip balm. I am addicted!!!

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

NS: My makeup routine has stayed surprisingly constant over the years. I've been wearing the same mineral foundation since college. I tend to change the way I wear my hair depending on styles that are trending (e.g. braided bangs, sock buns, etc.). I try to curl and straighten my hair less than I did in college.

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

NS: I actually have three, and they're equally fantastic. The first is my moisturizer. It's the only moisturizer I've ever used that keeps my skin moist without leaving an oily-feeling residue. It also smells amazing and creates a nice cooling feel.

The second product I couldn't live without is a leave-in conditioner and hair treatment from a company called Marrakesh. My mom is a hairstylist and bought this for me after I went from blond to red, and back to blond in a year. My hair was dry and damaged and this product really helped. I still use it every day to add a little shine to my hair and keep it healthy.

Lastly, I don't know what I'd do without dry shampoo. I don't even care what brand it is. I just love being able to come home from work, spray a little in my hair and go out to happy hour, shopping, wherever really, feeling like I just washed it. The best one I've ever used is Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo. But when I don't feel like dropping $25 on it, I usually just use Garnier Fructis' Volume Extend.

Crystal Brown, Managing Editor

SheKnows: What is one of your beauty secrets?

Crystal Brown: Coconut oil is probably one of my best "secrets" right now. I use it in my hair, either by itself or in a homemade spritz, you can use it on your skin and you can even use it (sparingly) to moisturize your skin.

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

CB: I love my products, but I know that expensive and trendy products aren't necessarily the best. I've found it's more important to work with what's best for me, whether it be a drugstore brand, a pricey department store brand or something I mixed up in my kitchen.

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

Catherine Conelly, Beauty and Love Editor

SheKnows: What is one of your beauty secrets?

Catherine Conelly: I only wash my face at night, not in the morning, in order to prevent stripping my skin of natural oils and causing breakouts. I use products that help even my skin tone in order to avoid wearing makeup more often. Things like sonic cleansing (Clarisonic Aria) and products that reduce your pore size are great for this! Right now my favorite is Philosophy Total Matteness.

I also try to use all-natural products whenever possible. One of my favorite brands for this is Indie Lee.

I wash and scrub my feet every night before I go to sleep. It might seem like a diva move, but it seriously takes two minutes and will make you feel like a whole new person. I'm convinced it helps me sleep better, too.

SK: How has your beauty routine changed over time?

CC: Lately, I'm huge on facial mists. They are great to use under moisturizer and can be really refreshing even over makeup.

As I've gotten older I've added products that help prevent aging like eye balms and serums. I may not need to worry about wrinkles now, but by using products and serums that help my skin fight aging early, I hopefully won't have to worry about it as much later either.

I stopped worrying about trying to make my hair look perfect and started investing in products that are meant to perfect the messy look. I don't know why it took me so long to do it. I now use less heat on my hair because of this, which means it's way healthier, too.

SK: What are two beauty products you would never want to be without?

CC: Cetaphil's Gentle Cleanser. When your skin starts to freak out or break out, go cold turkey with all your excess products and use this with a simple moisturizer and that's it! It works miracles.

SPF! Hint: Coola makes really cool products that will actually make you excited to wear sunscreen.